AFGHANISTAN
SUDAN
MIDDLE EAST
ZIMBABWE
MIDDLE EAST
AFGHANISTAN : ATTACKS ON THE JUSTICE AND EDUCATION MINISTRIES IN KABUL
France condemns in the strongest possible terms the attacks committed yesterday, February 11, on the Education Ministry and on the Ministry of Justice, Department of Penitentiary Administration in Kabul, which caused twenty-six deaths and left fifty-five wounded among personnel and persons on the premises.
These attacks follow many others committed during the past few months against government facilities in the Afghan capital. By targeting institutions committed to the defense and promotion of basic rights for Afghan citizens-- the right to education, the right to justice, and the right to security-- armed extremist groups are attempting to directly undermine the Afghan authorities’ courageous efforts to improve conditions for the Afghan people.
France conveys its condolences to the victims’ families and loved-ones, and assures the Afghan authorities of its full solidarity and its determination to support Afghanistan’s recovery.
What is your reaction to the ICC’s statement this morning concerning Omar Al-Bashir? What is France’s position on the issue and what reaction might we expect from the meeting in Doha?
It is up to the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC to decide when it will rule on Prosecutor Ocampo’s recommendations.
France supports the ICC’s mission and renews its call on the Sudanese government to fight against the impunity of perpetuators of crimes in Darfur, and to cooperate with the Court – in particular, to ensure the arrest warrants of Ahmed Haroun and Ali Kushayb are executed in accordance withthe international obligations set forth in SCR 1593.
Along with the entire international community, we expect a drastic and immediate change of policy on the part of the Sudanese authorities. That includes a cease-fire, deployment of the international presence, a commitment to real political dialogue, obligations toward the ICC, relations with Chad, and regional stabilization.
Concerning dialogue, we welcome the opening of negotiations on February 10 in Doha, and we support them fully. We hope that these negotiations will allow for the achievement of a cease-fire, the first step toward the adoption of a framework agreement between the parties.
We also welcome the decisive facilitating role played by Qatar, and the efforts of UN/AU mediator Djibril Bassolé.
Through its embassy in Doha and its special envoy, Issa Maraut, France is closely following these negotiations and participated as an observer in the initial phases of the process.
VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
The President has just returned from his trip to the Gulf. Can you provide us an account of this trip which covered 4, if not 5, countries in 2 days?
This visit, the first since the 1990s by a French President to the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the State of Kuwait, represented an opportunity to restore political relations between France and these three countries. During this friendly visit, the President, accompanied by Bernard Kouchner, Hervé Morin and Anne-Marie Idrac, expressed France’s interest in the region and the role it is willing to play to promotestability. France also hopes to strengthen ties with these countries in all areas – notably areas of the future such as energy and environmental protection –as part of an ambitious partnership. This visit follows and complements the President’s January 2008 tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The visit also provided an opportunity for France to reaffirm its commitment to the support of these countries.
Regarding the visit to Baghdad – the agreement for the withdrawal of American troops, the end of the mandate of the international force, and the January 31 provincial elections all show that Iraq has entered a new phase. Following these important steps for the recovery of the country’s sovereignty, the President’s visit demonstrates that France supports Iraq in its efforts for national reconciliation, the consolidation of democracy, and reconstruction.
This trip provided an opportunity to sign agreements and issue joint statements with the authorities of the three countries: notably, in Bahrain, an agreement regarding medical training, a military cooperation agreement, and a joint statement on cooperation on civilian nuclear energy; and in Kuwait, a joint statement by the heads of state on the strategic partnership between the two countries, and a joint statement by the economy ministers.
What is your reaction to the swearing-in of Morgan Tsvangirai as the new Prime Minister of Zimbabwe?
We welcome the swearing-in of Morgan Tsvangirai as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. The drastic situation in that country calls for the urgent formation of a government that can respond to the expectations of the people of Zimbabwe.
The government faces an immense task. Its priority should be to improve the people’s living conditions . We are very concerned by the humanitarian situation and the spread of cholera that now affects 70,000 people and has claimed 3,400 victims. The fight against this epidemic will not be effective without the rehabilitation of health and decontamination services. Medical personnel must be guaranteed free access to the population .
We also call upon the authorities to rapidly reestablish the rule of law, ensuring the respect of human rights and democratic principles. We reiterate our call for the immediate release of imprisoned human rights advocates and opposition figures.
The EU indicated its willingness to significantly contribute to the economic and social recovery of Zimbabwe, as soon as there are credible guarantees regarding the reestablishment of the rule of law and fundamental liberties.
Following the formation of the Zimbabwean government, we will closely monitor whether decisions made by the authorities focus on government service and serving the people.
Now that the Gaza Strip is less in the news, can you tell us if there is still a blockade against the entry of aid, on either the Egyptian or the Israeli side?
We do not have any current knowledge of a particular blockade concerning the entry of French humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. That said, the opening of crossing points for international aid to Gaza remains insufficient. Only a permanent opening of crossing points will allow us to truly meet the needs of the people in the Gaza Strip.